St Laurence's Roman Catholic Church

The red-brick Victorian frontage of St Laurence's gives it away immediately - this is no medieval relic, but a proper 19th-century addition to Cambridge's religious landscape. Built to serve the growing Catholic community when such things were still a bit controversial in England, the church sits quietly east of the city centre, away from the tourist throng around King's College.

Inside, it's straightforward and earnest rather than showy. The altar and stained glass do their job without pretension. You'll spend twenty minutes here, thirty if you're genuinely interested in Victorian Catholic architecture. It's the sort of place you visit because you're already in the area, not because you've planned a pilgrimage.

History enthusiasts will appreciate the context - Catholics weren't exactly welcomed in Cambridge for centuries, so a building like this represents a shift in English attitudes. Families won't find much to keep children engaged unless they're the contemplative type. Walkers doing a wider loop of Cambridge might pass through; it's accessible enough and doesn't demand anything of you.

The nearest caravan sites - Cherry Hinton, Gayton Farm, and the Camping and Caravanning Club Site - are all within four miles, making St Laurence's an easy add-on to a Cambridge park holiday. Pop in between exploring the colleges and the Fitzwilliam Museum. No entry fee as far as anyone can tell, though it's worth checking opening times before you visit. Cambridge's packed with bigger attractions, but if you're staying locally and fancy something low-key, this works.